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Sunday, May 27, 2012

A front page article in Friday's Oregonian asks the question. "Will a label on GMO foods alter appetites?" Yes, somebody will notice and make a change but by itself it will not make a critical difference. To alter the appetite of our nation it will take many of us working together. Changing the course of destruction we are now facing as a country will require all of us to take positive steps and make many healthier choices.

Starting this coming week, we will be sharing exerts from the new HBO documentary, "Weight of the Nation." We are also planning public screenings of this documentary and will be inviting all of you to participate. You can help to bring the awareness of the obesity crisis to those in your circles of influence. Once we are aware of the enormity of this crisis, it will be important to help educate, support and empower each other. Together we can make the changes necessary to save our country from health and financial ruin.

One step will start us on the path but many steps will be needed to complete the journey. It is not just about weight loss, but more importantly about creating habits of health and changing the way we live.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Everything I could write about this picture, will just come out sounding sarcastic. This exert from Reuters pretty much says it all. We can get angry or we can get mad. Or, we can just choose not to eat at fast food restaurants. Making this choice may not good for McDonald's profits, but a healthier choice for Americas bottom line.

OAK BROOK, Ill., May 24 - McDonald's Corp investors soundly rejected a shareholder proposal that would have required the world's biggest fast-food chain to assess its impact on childhood obesity.

The subject was a major topic of discussion at Thursday's annual shareholder meeting, which also served as a send-off for retiring Chief Executive Jim Skinner - whose nearly eight years at the helm will be remembered as a time when the price of McDonald's stock tripled.

The shareholder proposal, which also failed last year, returned amid growing concern over the social and financial costs of obesity in the United States and around the world - not only in terms of healthcare-related expenses but also lower worker productivity and diminished quality of life.

Nearly one-third of U.S. children are overweight or obese. America is one of the fattest nations on earth, and the Institute of Medicine, in a 2006 report requested by Congress, said junk food marketing contributes to an epidemic of childhood obesity that continues to rise. The institute is the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences.

McDonald's executives on Thursday defended the brand and its advertising.

"We're proud of the changes we've made to our menu. We've done more than anybody in the industry around fruits and vegetables and variety and choice," said Skinner, who will retire on June 30 and who received a standing ovation from investors.

While the chain has added food like salads, oatmeal and smoothies to its menu, it has pulled ahead of rivals and delivered outsized returns for investors with help from its core lineup of fatty food and sugary drinks.

Corporate Accountability International, a business watchdog group, for the second year in a row backed the obesity proposal, which was endorsed by 2,500 pediatricians, cardiologists and other healthcare professionals.

It called on the company to issue a report on its "health footprint." The document would evaluate how diet-related illness would affect McDonald's profit.

Dr Andrew Bremer, a pediatric endocrinologist and professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, presented the proposal at the meeting and said McDonald's has chosen to employ "countless new PR tactics" that create a perception of change while "unreasonably" exposing shareholders to significant risk.

"It is not enough to point to so-called healthier menu items when children are still the target of aggressive marketing of an overwhelming unhealthy brand," Bremer said.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Good tasting and good for you, this is my version of Tabbouleh Salad that uses riced cauliflower instead of grain. This delicious low fat salad has 6 fresh, raw vegetables in the base recipe. Try it with your own variations and let me what changes you made and how they turned out. Cooking should be a creative activity.

1. Mix all the vegetables in bowl.
2. In shaker jar, mix lemon juice, oil and seasonings, blend into salad.

Garnish and refrigerate, how easy is that? I have made many variations of this salad with different vegetables and beans added. Increase the quantity of the dressing slightly as you add more ingredients. This is great salad for your memorial day cookout. Greg

Monday, May 21, 2012

I'm looking forward to today's check-ins ... I connected with many clients over the weekend and it's been wonderful hearing the news, seeing progress, and feeling the excitement and determination!!!

Here are some of my favorite comments this week - they are all from different people:

Before getting on Program," shopping was a nightmare - my clothes didn't fit and nothing looked good on me. Now I can't wait to get in the dressing room and try things on!" (Speaking of clothes, did you get a chance to view the new DVD, TSFL Path to Optimal Health ... check out the young woman's closet at the end ... I'll never have or need that many clothes, but she sure was enjoying herself!)

"What I've noticed most is the mental clarity! I'm so happy to be consistently thinking clearly. As a result, the relationship between me and my husband has really improved. He shared with me that before TSFL, he never knew who he was "waking up to." I was either really grumpy and depressed or anxious and in a fog! Now I'm feeling energetic and optimistic ... it's like, I've gotten my life back!!!"

"So Sunday marked my first full week and I was very pleased with how the week went. I weighed myself on Sunday ... I had thought that I would find myself hungry often throughout the week, but this was not the case. I also have found the cafeteria at work to not be imitating at all. I have been following along in Dr. A's Habits of Health book and really believe that this has helped me see things in a new and healthy way. I am very happy with how things are going now and excited about slowly but surely becoming much healthier!"

Lesson 4 of the Healthy Habits Seriesis scheduled for tomorrow evening. We will focus on chapter 9. Follow along online and share your insights!

Call to Action: Thank you for your business and for making the decision to help others ... I appreciate all the referrals and interest in coaching - there will soon be plenty of coaches to go around! We need you!!! Besides, your friends know YOU and want YOU to coach them!!! I'm happy to help you get a bit of training so you feel even more confident and can be paid for you efforts to reach out and help everyone to feel as good as you are feeling! We're building a national network of coaches and love our growing team. Some of the coaches from the Portland area were featured in this short YouTube, Discover TSFL.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

We’re so excited to be facilitating the Health Habits Series again. We have a small group and would like you to join us online.

Anyone can lose weight ... keeping it off by establishing new habits is the key to a life time of health and vitality! This is what we are all about.

Each week I'll give you a little summary of our class and suggest homework. I know the “Buddy System” works and you might want to gather your own small study/support group. So, get out your books, order them if you don't have them, and we'll get started! We’re going to move through the materials quickly but you can pace yourself and come back to lessons at any time.

Lesson Fouris all about food and will cover chapter 9. If you haven’t taken the Health Quiz, be sure and take it before next week’s class. Call me and we can review it together.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Our recipe of the week comes from "Delight, Gluten Free" magazine. It has lots of good vegetables and if you are watching the carbs, you can use a half a potato, a small amount of tapioca starch or cauliflower as a thickener. Many times I start with a basic recipe and vary it according to my taste.

Chapter 7 explains the “Catalyst” to rapid and safe weight loss - our Medifast Portion Controlled Meal Replacements (PCMRs). The PCMRs take us out of our normal eating environments and help us lose weight quickly and safely. Along the way we develop new habits that will carry us through transition and into a life time of better health. You'll want to key in on:

The Checklist for Change on page 84

Secrets to Success page 85

The Quick Start Guide will be another helpful reference to keep handy

Chapter 8 covers “Dr A’s Healthy Eating System”

Also down 125# !!!

The concepts here are what keep us on the road to good nutrition once we’ve used the Medifast PCMRs to reduce our size and reset our weight. Failure to transition to a healthy pattern of eating is the #1 cause of regaining fat.

We spent time discussing the USDA Pyramid and the brand new “My Plate” which reflects the concepts that Dr Andersen has been teaching clients and coaches for years. See pages 88-89.

Bottom Line: going back to our old ways and habits will bring a return of our old shape and miseries! Luckily, Dr A’s “Low-Glycenic Portion-Control System” is designed to install and support brand new habits for a lifetime of healthy living … You can review the concepts on pages 90-92.

Lesson Fourwill cover chapter 9.

If you haven’t taken the Health Quiz, be sure and take it before next week’s class.

You can also do the exercises and follow along in the companion guide,Living a Longer, Healthier Life.

Monday, May 14, 2012

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day ... I got my mom all to myself for a couple of hours on Saturday evening ... we watched Carol Burnet Bloopers and just cracked up together ... sooo sweet! How did you celebrate?

Here's my favorite quote of the week:

Normally for me, Mother's Day is "open season" for a big bar-b-que with all the fixings.....but not this year! We ate sensibly and enjoyed the day with one of our kids without over-doing it at the table. Feels good to not be so stuffed you can't sleep or plagued with indigestion!

I weighed in this morning.....four weeks ago I tipped the scales at 371...this morning I weighed in at 339, 32 pounds in a month...I can't believe it, but I know it's true based on how loose some of my clothes are fitting now. I'd love to be at or below 320 by surgery day ... and continue losing from there.

I can't thank you enough for helping me see this happen...I really doubted whether the motivation to change would ever come back. I felt stuck and needed something to really rock me ... Thanks for reaching out with the tools and the encouragement to help! The little blender is great..thanks! The shakes come out even better! My second order just came on Thursday...I'm trying out some new meals...I'll give you an update on the chilli and the chocolate chip brownies! Thanks again!

When you are ready to help others tackle their weight with the effective TSFL tools, call me, come to a training session (Miller's Portland area training is next Saturday 9-3 ... it's thorough and wonderful!) and explore the posts under "join Our Team" on our web/blog, www.HealthCoachResource.com

Thank you for your business and the priviledge of coaching you on this chosen journey to wellness. I know this is simple, but not always easy. When someone says, “Wow! You are looking great! How are you doing it?” Please reply, “I have Polly, my Take Shape for Life Health Coach. She is willing to help you too, give her a call … or better yet, can I give her your e-mail or number?” If you are coaching with Greg, just tell them we work as a team and are willing to help them! Polly.

Health Coach Resourceprovides health
and wellness coaching for individuals, families, and employee groups. We
guide clients through our medically directed program of rapid weight loss,
transition, and maintenance. We also offer training for qualified individuals who
are seeking health coaching jobs and careers. Health Coach training and
certification lights up our lives as it lightens the burden of hopelessness and
disease caused by poor habits and obesity in America. Click Here to
learn more.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

HBO has produced a series called "The Weight of the Nation which will be screening in two parts Monday May 14th and Tuesday May 15th. This is the link to the website for more information about the film and actions they we can take. http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/screenings/discussion-guide. If you have access to HBO and can watch this please give your feedback so we can share with others. If you miss it we are ordering the series and making inquiries about doing a public showing. This is serious and action must be taken if we are to survive.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Mothers Day weekend. In Portland the weather was a 10. Greg.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

There really is a revolution going on ... The next time you hear someone say, "That's impossible!" ... Please just ask them to step aside while those who are doing it, get it done and those who want it, make it happen!

Enjoy this wonderful YouTube of a Vet who was told he would never walk unaided again. If it's time for you to re-invent yourself, give us a call ... we're all in!! Polly.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

We’re so excited to be facilitating the class on Healthy Habits again! We have a small group and would like you to join us online.

Each week I'll post a brief summary of our class and suggest homework for the next week. I know the “Buddy System” works and you might want to gather your own small study/support group.

At the conclusion Lesson 1, we pictured our first Structural Tension Chart (STC) and came up with a unique way to make it useful and real! We’re going to move through the materials quickly but you can pace yourself and come back to lessons at any time.

So, get out your books, order them now if you don't have them, and we'll get started!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Each of us is a story teller ... There are the stories we tell ourselves and the stories we tell about others. Some are true and some aren't. Some give us freedom, others keep us bound and gagged, stuck and miserable.

Check out the stories in these two short YouTubes, TSFL Path to Optimal Health and Discover Take Shape for Life. The information is so freeing... for one thing, I've met many of these people. They are not professional actors or actresses. They are people, just like you and me. The YouTubes were not scripted or designed to impress ... they were simply made to help us share this wonderful set of tools and the growing system of understanding and support. Please share our information with everyone! Thank you for helping me spread the message!!! Polly.

It's important to treat ourselves like a well loved friend. This means surrounding yourself with support and avoiding negative self talk. Losing weight and gaining health starts in the mind ... We have to see it in our mind before we can achieve it in our future. Enjoy this article on "Avoiding Fat Talk!"

Monday, May 7, 2012

"As for our Jeep ... its still not running, but even now I find that I can crawl under the Jeep, maneuver around, grab wrenches or other tools, do what I need to do and get back upright. Polly, that was all but impossible 6 weeks ago.

Still finding many many ways to do our "lean and green" as well as snacks for those times when one might need it. Did you know that 3 spears of pickled asparagus has only 10 calories?Clothes are starting to be a little large and our energy has picked up substantially. I find that I can get up and down out of low chairs without the difficulty I used to have. It's even easier to get in and out of my big truck!We both can see and feel the difference, almost daily. BTW, yesterday we both were 2-3 lbs lighter."This couple finds it helpful to weigh daily, another client decided to lock her scale in the boot of her car and take it out just once a week! Still another, decided to with a tummy measurement every couple of days. Remember, it's not just about weight loss and numbers on the scale, it's about how we feel and how our body responds! What works for you? How do you stay on track? Polly.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

As you burn through excess weight and stored fuel, friends and family will be noticing and over wanting to know how you're doing it. I'm delighted to coach them for you but know they will be turning to you for information, guidance and encouragement. So, if you'd like to know more about becoming a Health Coach, let me know - I'd love to discuss the possibilities and rewards with you!

Remember, most people just want to know:
Does it work? Can I do it? Will you help me?

What's your answer???? Give me a call, between us, we can help so many people discover a healthier, happier life!

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Thank you for your business and the priviledge of
coaching you on this chosen journey to wellness. I know this is simple, but not always easy.

When someone says, “Wow!
You are looking great! How are
you doing it?” Please reply:“I have
Polly, my Take Shape for Life Health Coach.
She is willing to help you too, give her a call … or better yet, can I
give her your e-mail or number?” If you
are coaching with Greg, just tell them we work as a team and are willing to
help them!

Most of our clients get $75 -$100 off on their monthly
food orders by referring 3-4 clients/month.

I’ll be happy to send you a handful of our cards to give to friends and I'll send more when
you need them. If your friends have
ordered directly from the company, I can still help you get the $25 credit for
their referrals – just let me know.

By way of encouragement, I’m so happy to be surrounding
you with the accumulated knowledge of the thousands of people across the
country who are on this journey with you!

Another very effective way to support your efforts is to
build a support team around you. When
you have friends and family members join you on the program, you are even more
accountable and more likely to reach your goals … besides, you have a lot to
offer! You are living the experience of successful
weight loss, understand the system, pitfalls, and tools. Your friends are desparate to know what you
know. Greg and I will help you in any way that we
can.

Again, thank you so much for doing the work,
sharing your pictures and stories, and helping us give hope to others who are
frustrated and struggling!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

John wrote, "I had a great week, stayed on program and enjoyed the feeling of relief and control. Then, the weekend hit. An "after the ball game" pizza party got the best of me! Thank you for picking up the phone, reminding me of the tools I have and the goals I've set. I'm grateful this programisn't the typical "sweat and starve" routine ... I know I am asking my body to do something very unusual - burn through stored fuel rather than chow down on everything in sight." For most of us, we've "Been That and are Done There!" The number one reason for failure and frustration is the willingness to trade what we want most of all for what we want most in the moment.The motivation to change old habits and establish new ones has to be intrinsic. The motivation must come from within and starts with the sense of self worth.

Our program helps you internalize new concepts, habits and core beliefs. This is life changing stuff!!! "Self regard refers to your belief in yourself, your worth and your abilities. Self regard is learned and it is important to recognize that unfavorable self regard can be un-learned." It may be very uncomfortable ... you may be in foreign territory here ... that's why you have a coach!!! You are invited to investigate the program we use and sign up for the complimentary and individualized coaching service we provide. Give us a call, let's see if this is right for you. Polly.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

We’re so excited to be
facilitating the class on Healthy Habits again! We
have a small group and would like you to join us online.

Each week I'll post a brief summary of our class and suggest homework for the next week. I know the “Buddy System”
works and you might want to gather your own small study/support group.

At the conclusion Lesson 1, we pictured our first Structural Tension Chart (STC) and came up with a unique way to make it useful and real! We’re going to move through the materials
quickly but you can pace yourself and come back to lessons at any time.

So, get out your books, order them now if you don't have them, and we'll get started!

As I was struggling with uploading and downloading this morning, I came across a little essay written by Michael Gartner called "No Left Turns" ... It's about life, decisions and attitudes ... I thought you might like it.Share laughter and send me your favorite stories. Have a great day and a great life! Polly.

Health Coach Resourceprovides health
and wellness coaching for individuals, families, and employee groups. We
guide clients through our medically directed program of rapid weight loss,
transition, and maintenance. We also offer training for qualified individuals who
are seeking health coaching jobs and careers. Health Coach training and
certification lights up our lives as it lightens the burden of hopelessness and
disease caused by poor habits and obesity in America. Click Here to
learn more.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

I send out a "Let's Check-in" note every Monday Morning to Friends, Clients, and Coaches ... The notes are rarely as long as this one, but I had lots of exciting news to share and the best part is at the end! If you'd like to be added to the Monday Morning Check-in Club, just let me know.

I have just returned home from the most rewarding professional conference I've ever been to! We spent four days focusing on perfecting our craft ... the craft of coaching clients and coaching coaches as they journey to their goals and beyond. I'll be posting glimpses and highlights over the next couple of weeks on our blog/web page, but best of all I'll be listening to you with new ears, seeing you with new eyes, and reaching out to you in new ways.

Congratulations on the incredible work you are doing in every little moment, with every tiny decision that leads you to your goals. At the end of this note is a link so that you connect with David's story ... his story is great, but yours is even sweeter to my ears because you've invited me to be part of it.

Thanks for sharing, checking in, and referring friends, co-workers, and family members. Most of all, THANK YOU for becoming Health Coaches! I love hearing how you are helping others regain control and feel as hopeful and successful as you do. I am so grateful, so proud, so humble, and sooo excited for all the people our team is helping to re-invent themselves. You are saving lives, saving families, and changing the outlook of the people you love and many people you've never even met!

If you are not a coach yet, please call me! I'll help you get the tools ... everything has been streamlined and polished to provide you with the support you need to support others. And, if you are feeling too busy or are not ready yet to coach others, think about the people you know who are looking for additional meaning and purpose. We are looking for those who love helping people and who are ready to smoothly incorporate coaching, and the rewards that come with it, into their lives either part or full-time.

Join us for the monthly metro wide Miller Training, Saturday, May 19th, 9-3 (it will be packed so let me know you are coming)

Come see us at the OAME trade show on Thursday, May 10th - we'll be in booth #100.

Here's the best part! Being away for an intense conference this past week has me all fired up ... and the best part (besides jumping into the loving arms of my incredible hubby!) is knowing we all have access to the knowledge, skills and confirmations needed to, as Dr Andersen says, "Go out and get America Healthy!"